Moving back after 22 years

[cpenn]

Hello

After 22+ years we have decided that we really would like to return to UK to spend some quality time with our families whilst we can ... this thought has been floating around for some time, but we feel like now due to some illness and world events could be the time we need to do it.  

My main concern is that our son is in year 11, starting year 12 this year and obviously this is NOT the ideal time to be leaving a system and entering another.  My questions are really as follows - he will most likely want to go to uni, and as such would require to have finished his HSW (NSW) or have completed A levels.  Wondering if anyone has any input as to how that would work with a 6th form college or similar in England, and whether he would be eligible to apply as a domestic student in England or Scotland or if you actually have to live there for 3 full years?? 

Any insights would be appreciated.

Thanks so much

 

[Quoll]

He probably wouldn't want to be moving into the middle of A levels but if he could start at the beginning of the A level course (which iirc is years 12 and 13???) then he could do A levels, take a gap year then he would be a domestic student.  Might mean him starting in September and talking to the college about catching up with GCSEs if necessary.  You may have to send him back early to start the year ahead of you if you cant move then.  I suggest that if you dont move now, you never will - he will want to go to Uni in Australia, meet a partner, settle down blah blah blah and it will never be the right time.

Good luck with it!!!

[Eera]

How it worked when i was administering International Students (caveat, was a few years ago now), was that as long as you arrived before the census date (which was 31st August) then it was counted as a year, so arrive on the 25th July, or something, as of the 1st September that was counted as an entire year for residency purposes.

Universities always had the right to waive international fees; if your son had done his A Levels, you were settled in the country and showed enough ties, then we likely wouldn't have charged them as International - though the Student Loans Company wasn't as lenient.  Also bear in mind that the status you are assessed at follows you through the entire university period; if he started, was assessed as International, he'd still be paying those fees at the end of the course.

If in doubt, contact the universities directly; ask to speak to the department who assesses fee status; outside of the prime UCAS / enrolment period they'll be pretty helpful.

 

Edited June 14, 2022 by Eera

[Parley]

Just be very sure it is what you really want. If you end up ping ponging back in a year it is disasterous financially if you have sold property in Australia. Be sure it is what you both want and it is not one partner talking the other into going, which always ends badly.

[cpenn]

Thank you so much for your responses. Food for thought. Thank you.